10. Visionary Development

While many states today struggle to maintain the status quo, Florida's economic engine keeps moving forward. To put Florida's size and momentum into focus, consider this: If Florida was a country, it would have the 20th largest economy in the world.

Florida has the 4th largest Gross State Product and is the 8th largest economy in the Western Hemisphere. Florida has a higher standard of living, too. With a per capita income of $39,893 (2008 data), Florida ranks second among all Southeastern states.

Florida remains a strong force in today's innovation economy in large part because of its sustained efforts to create the right conditions for creative, knowledge-based businesses to thrive. The state is strategic about its economic development activities, which include funding research and development, attracting venture capital, building state-of-the-art infrastructure, fostering innovative high-tech firms and growing a qualified workforce.

Over the course of 2009, hundreds of Floridians came together in small groups throughout the state to develop the 2010-2015 Roadmap to Florida's Future, the statewide strategic plan for economic development. More than 1,500 Floridians — representing business, industry/trade associations, international commerce, education and workforce, transportation, arts and culture, government, economic development organizations, and others — provided input to help shape Florida's economic future. For more information, visit www.eflorida.com/roadmap.